Unseen TV tapes will show the real 'irreverent, spontaneous and indomitable' Princess Diana says former aide

Ex-private secretary Patrick Jephson has defended the broadcaster’s ­decision to screen private videos – recorded during media coaching sessions – against a backlash from Diana’s friends and biographers

Princess Diana’s sons will see her “irreverent, spontaneous and indomitable spirit” in Channel 4’s controversial documentary, says one of her former close aides.

Ex-private secretary Patrick Jephson has defended the broadcaster’s ­decision to screen private videos – recorded during media coaching sessions – against a backlash from Diana’s friends and biographers.

Jephson, who worked for Diana between 1988 and 1996, said: “At a time when, to their great credit, both her children are encouraging us to remember their mother in a positive light, this film is well-timed, well-made and well-intentioned.”

The film reveals a “thoughtful, often funny Princess” telling her own story her own way, he tells Radio Times.

He adds the furore over the broadcast is because it reveals the truth about Diana’s anger over her husband being in love with another woman, and the lack of support offered by other royals, including the Queen.

A rare glimpse into her private life of Princess Diana (Image: Splash)

Patrick Jephson was Princess Diana's former equerry (Image: PA)

The tapes were unseen for years

Princess Diana and her sons William and Harry on a ski holiday to Switzerland (Image: Daily Mirror)

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Speaking in 1992, the year her marriage to Prince Charles ended, Diana believed his allies were trying to paint her as an unfit mother.

Jephson said: “It’s her irreverent, spontaneous and indomitable spirit that comes through loud and clear, despite the difficulties.”

Diana hired Mr Settelen to help with her public speaking voice. Channel 4 says the tapes are an “important historical source”. But Diana’s pals, including Rosa Monckton, said their use “betrayed her privacy” and would hurt Wills and Harry.

Neither Prince has commented and say they will keep their views private.

Diana: In Her Own Words, Channel 4, 8pm, Sunday.

The Princess of Wales and her Private Secretary Patrick Jephson (Image: PA)

There's no reason why tapes should remain private

The lawyer who brokered the sale of “the Diana tapes” has also defended their broadcast.

Marcus Rutherford, who represents former voice coach Peter Settelen, accepts the content was meant to be private between his client and Diana.

But he added: “The fact is that after Diana’s death and being found in the possession of her former butler Paul Burrell, the claim to privacy failed because the police looked at them, the Spencer family looked at them.

Princess Diana when she was being filmed on the tapes

“So what was private to Peter, as much as to Diana, was actually lost in the process.

“So I don’t think it’s right to say that now, 20 years later after her death, that they remain private.”

He added in the Radio 5 Live interview it was clear at the time she recorded them – five years before her 1997 death in Paris – Diana wanted the world to know of her divorce hell.

Diana’s brother Earl Spencer has urged C4 not to show the documentary this weekend.